11.0 - 2700 Wooldridge Dr — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts May 6, 2026 PR-2026-035760; HR-2026-039095 Old West Austin Historic District 2700 Wooldridge Drive 11 – 1 Proposal Partially demolish rear portions and construct a rear and side addition to a contributing building. Project Specifications 1) Demolish non-original wall sections at the rear of the property dating from around 1993. 2) Construct a two-story, 6,214 square foot addition at the rear of the property, which will expand into the lot of 2706 Wooldridge Drive (demolition of that existing property was approved in 2022). This addition will be located behind the existing pool set back from the front of the lot. Architecture Described in the Old West Austin National Register nomination as an asymmetrical French Eclectic design, the house features a main, three bay structure, with a prominent side addition facing the Westover Road side. Both the main house and this side extension are two stories, and several non-historic, single-story additions are also present. The main entry is approached from the street by a long walkway, and the front door is covered by a pitched metal porch roof supported by metalwork at the corners. The two outer bays feature shuttered 6-over-6 windows on both floors, which were installed in a 2017 renovation. To the north, a large outdoor pool area is set back from the front of the house and opens up onto a large side yard. Research A permit for water service to the property dates to 1930, but no records of the house’s construction exist before 1941. The property had several owners over its first two decades, and also spend some time as a vacant property. One of the longer owners was Saadi Ferris, who also had some student renters living there for some time. In the 1950s, the property was occupied by Margaret Okie, a widow. Design Standards The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Residential additions 1. Location This property is located on a corner lot, with the Wooldridge Drive side being the fronting street. The part of the addition that connects to the historic section of the building will be set at the rear, and the addition that continues north will be set back at the rear of the joined lots. The Westover Road side, which saw most of the non-historic additions built up to its setback, will see the most alterations, though there is already a language of additions at this elevation. 2. Scale, massing, and height Due to the massive size of the proposed addition, it may be difficult to create a design that allows the scale and massing of the historic sections of the property to carry through. However, given that difficulty, the height and massing of the various sections of the addition are kept within visual reason, and the main house appears to remain legible from the Wooldridge Drive street view. 3. Design and style The overall design of the addition surrounds the existing pool area, forming a two story side wall, a single story rear wall, and a two story rear corner. The “interior,” or pool-facing walls, are more ornamental and feature grander 11 – 2 fenestration and views. The wall facing Westover Road, which is generally in the same place as previous non-historic additions, is simpler, has a rhythm to its fenestration, and is set back from the street more than the existing additions. At the pool-facing exterior walls, the ornament comes in the form of symmetrical windows and porch overhangs, which is generally in keeping with the French Eclectic style of the original house. 4. Roofs Roofs will match the pitch and form of the main house, and will be held lower so as not to overtake visually. 5. Exterior walls Exterior walls are to be clad in brick, which is common in this part of the district. 6. Windows, screens, and doors Large windows with divided lites are proposed throughout, as can be seen in the window schedule. The proportions look appropriate to the main house, and it is recommended that the glass be kept clear and colorless. 7. Porches and decks A porch facing Wooldridge Drive is proposed, though it will be located on the far end of the pool and not easily visible from the street, especially given that the house sits several feet above the street grade. The symmetrical elements, including support columns and fenestration, are appropriate to the original house design. 8. Chimneys A large double chimney is proposed at the rear of the Great Hall, located behind the porch described in the section above. While the form will be large, it will not extend far above the roof peak. Given its distance from the street, it will likely be minimally visible. 9. Attached garages and carports A two-car attached garage is proposed at the Westover Road side of the addition, generally in the same location as the non-historic carport (later enclosed garage). An existing curb cut will be used. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. Department Comments Relevant permit history: 1980: Remodel & 2nd floor addition (BP-1980-002292) 1988: Remodel permit (BP-1988-013337) 1993: Rear addition, including a bedroom, bathroom & enclosed porch (BP-1993-010310) 2003: Kitchen addition, conversion of rear carport to garage, construct breezeway between garage and house (PR- 2003-001200) 2017: Construction of an enclosed porch at north side wall (PR-2017-038682) This application will time out on July 20, 2026. Property Evaluation The property contributes to the Old West Austin National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of French Eclectic architecture not commonly found in this area. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property does not possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. e. Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. 11 – 3 Staff Recommendation Comment on plans for the partial demolition and addition and release the application. Location Map 11 – 4 Property Information Photos 11 – 5 Permit application, 2026 Permit application, view from Westover Road, indicating area of property that is proposed to be removed in this application (red), and neighboring property at 1306 Westover Rd. that has already been approved for demolition (blue) Occupancy History City Directory Research, April 2026 1959 1957 1955 Margaret Okie (widow of VJ), owner Same as above Vacant 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 Vacant John& Bettye Booth & Saadi Ferris, owners; students at UT Saadi Ferris, owner; student at UT Same as above Address not listed Historical Information 11 – 6 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Dec 1941: A4. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 25 Feb 1945: A4. Permits 11 – 7 Water tap permit, 1930 Water tap permit, 1977